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How to Locate Underground Gas Lines Before You Dig

By Marie Lowe- Updated June 19, 2017

When spring or summer arrives, you may plan to put a fence, a wall or change the landscape of the garden. You need to think before you dig. If your spade hits underground gas lines, it could cause a damaging explosion. You could be fined because the law requires that you dig only after locating underground gas lines. The gas lines belong to the gas company, which can often tell you if their lines run under your proposed digging location.

Find a Locator

After making a specific note of the location where you plan to dig, call the gas company that provides gas to your home. They will send a locator to check if their lines run under the site. Alternatively, you can find a professional utility locator service that operates in your location, if you do not know the gas company that may have lines running under your home. They will send a locator with a receiver to check whether underground gas lines run beneath your property. You can also go to the website of the Common Ground Alliance Website to find a professional utility locator or call 811, the free national Call Before You Dig service, for a professional utility locator.